The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Is Having a Killer Year – Q1 Sales up 200 Percent
Poor sales over multiple years have led to the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser exiting the U.S. market after this current model year. However, it seems 2021 is off to a great start for the Land Cruiser, given sales for the model have increased drastically.
According to Toyota’s Q1 2021 sales figures, they are up over 200 percent compared with the same time period in 2020. While it is almost impossible to direct why an $80,000 off-roading SUV is selling in big numbers, news of its discontinuation is likely to blame. However, given this massive sales boost, Toyota might want to hold off on pulling the plug.
Is Toyota discontinuing the Land Cruiser?
If you live in the U.S., the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is the last version of this off-roader you’ll be able to buy brand-new. The rest of the world will still get the next-gen model with its updated tech and all-new powertrains. Thankfully, it seems this iconic model might stay in the U.S. with a Lexus badge and a higher price tag.
For context, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $85,565 in the U.S. and offers an ultra-reliable naturally-aspirated V8 engine under its hood. Additionally, you get a body-on-frame design and plenty of off-roading tech features.
Over the last decade or so, the Toyota Land Cruiser hasn’t sold in massive numbers. This is likely due to its niche capabilities and steep price tag. However, following the news of its discontinuation, buyers have flocked to dealerships. So much so that the model just had one of its best sales quarters ever.
Q1 2021 sales are up 200 percent over 2020
To say that people are rushing to buy the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is an understatement. During Q1 of 2020, Toyota managed to sell 614 examples of the off-roader. In 2021, that number increased by over 200 percent to 1,896 total sales.
What makes this interesting is that the Japanese carmaker hasn’t introduced any major changes for the 2021 model year. This spike likely comes as a result of the model’s cancelation. In March of 2021, 640 Land Cruiser models found new homes. Again, this marks an increase of over 200 percent over the 173 sales in 2020.
The reason why Land Cruiser buyers might be flocking to the model before it dies has to do with its long-term durability. According to iSeeCars, 16.3 percent of these off-roaders make it past 200,000 miles. As a result, the average owner might not need a brand-new SUV for well over a decade.
Given the model’s discontinuation in the U.S., these buyers might be trying to secure their next 200,000 miles in a V8-powered variant.
The Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia are also up
While the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is the clear winner for Q1 sales growth, the 4Runner and Sequoia are also having a great year. In Q1 2020, Toyota managed to sell 28,072 4Runner and 1,408 Sequoia examples. However, in 2021 those numbers increased to 37,263 and 2,037, respectively. As a result, it seems buyers are embracing off-roading SUVs more than we’ve seen in recent years.
